Biofertilising, plant-stimulating and biocontrol potentials of maize plant growth promoting rhizobacteria isolated in central and northern Benin

Plants constantly interact with a multitude of microorganisms that they select among other things through their roots. Some bacteria, known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), are able to stimulate growth and control plant diseases, thanks to the expression of a wide range of beneficial properties to the plant. The aim of this work was to search for biofertilizing, plant-stimulating and biocontrol potentials in PGPR in central and northern Benin. To achieve this goal, the metabolic properties, especially phosphate solubilization, the production of indole acetic acid, hydrogen cyanide, ammonia, exopolysaccharides, certain enzymes and antifungal activity were investigated on nine rhizobacteria strains: Bacillus polymysa, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus circulans, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus panthothenicus, Pseudomonas cichorii, Pseudomonas putida, Pseudomonas syringae and Serratia marcescens. The results reveal that the three genera of rhizobacteria were producers of hydrogen cyanide, indole acetic acid, catalase and solubilized phosphate. All Pseudomonas and Serratia isolates were producers of exopolysaccharides, protease and lipase while 80% of Bacillus strains were lipase producers and 60% produced exopolysaccharides and protease. As regards the production of ammonia by rhizobacteria, 100% by S. marcescens, 78% of Pseudomonas strains and 80% of Bacillus strains produce them. These results show the possibility of using these rhizobacteria as biological fertilizers to stimulate growth, control fungal diseases and improve crop productivity in Benin.